The Mukaab, the largest structure in the world, is now under construction in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Mukaab is slated to serve as the focal point of Murabba, Riyadh’s new downtown area. It is a component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, an ambitious endeavor to establish the country as a center for innovation, culture, and tourism. This 1,300-foot cube, which will take up an entire 7 square mile, is intended to be an indoor metropolis and is one of 14 well-known “giga-projects” being built to welcome the world to Expo Riyadh Expo 2030.
Inspired by the Arabic word for “cube,” the Mukaab is designed by Canadian firm AtkinsRéalis. It will feature symmetrical dimensions height, width, and length each measuring 1,300 feet—contained within a modernized screen reflecting Najdi, a traditional Saudi architectural style. Inside, a spiraling tower within a vast atrium will be surrounded by residential units, commercial spaces, hotels, and entertainment venues. Projection curtains within the atrium will offer immersive digital and holographic experiences, drawing comparisons to the famed Sphere in Las Vegas.
Scheduled for completion in 2030, the Mukaab will sit amid an extensive Murabba district, which will include over 100,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 10 million square feet of retail space, and 15 million square feet of office space. Beyond these attractions, it will host a museum, a tech and design university, and an array of cultural and entertainment options, making it a city within a city.
Mukaab joins other ambitious Saudi projects, including the futuristic Line and Trojena, a planned mountain resort. While the Line faces delays, with only a fraction of its original 93-mile length expected by 2030, these projects symbolize Saudi Arabia’s drive to redefine itself as a global tourist and innovation hub under its Public Investment Fund’s guidance.